Gotou Hitori's wave of enthusiasm arrived quickly and receded even faster. By the time the group disembarked at Shimokitazawa Station and had only walked a few paces, she had already shrunk back into her timid, hesitant shell. As time continued to pass and the destination drew nearer, she began to radiate an unmistakable aura of unease and a palpable desire to flee.
This creeping change made Ijichi Nijika privately wonder if she had made a mistake in her hasty recruitment. However, given the circumstances and the lack of alternatives, there was no choice but to press forward and hope for the best.
"…"
"We're here, we're here~ This is it!"
Passing through a lively, pedestrian-filled street, they arrived at the entrance to a live house bearing the sign 'STARRY'. Ijichi Nijika turned sideways, raised a hand in presentation, and introduced the place with her characteristic cheerful tone.
Perhaps because it was their first time visiting such an establishment, both Kasumigaoka Utaha and Kumin Tsuyuri wore expressions of open curiosity. It was Gotou Hitori's first time as well, but she was in no state to appreciate the entrance. To her, the basement-level doorway, dimly lit and adorned with colorful, glowing signs, looked less like a venue and more like the gaping maw of some demonic realm…
"Nijika-chan, what time does the performance start?"
Kumin Tsuyuri asked softly as they began descending the stairs.
"It starts at six and finishes at eight," Ijichi Nijika replied, turning her head as she walked ahead. Her golden side ponytail swayed gently with the motion. "There are a few more steps down, watch your footing."
Nijika, who had turned to walk into the main area of 'STARRY', didn't forget to give a final reminder. She really was a considerate person.
This place…
Gotou Hitori, experiencing a live house for the very first time, instinctively widened her eyes, taking in her surroundings.
It was spacious, the lighting was moody and low, and the atmosphere carried a subtle, almost physical weight…
Unexpectedly, she found it… reassuring! Her frazzled nerves actually began to calm down a little within this dim, enclosed space.
"Hitori-chan, how do you feel?" Ijichi Nijika turned to look at her, concern evident in her voice.
"This is my home!"
Just like a room with blackout curtains firmly drawn, Gotou Hitori answered without thinking, a foolish, dreamy giggle escaping her.
"Huh!? This should be my home, right!?" Ijichi Nijika couldn't help but retort, then clapped her hands together, changing the subject with a helpless smile that seemed to say, 'I really don't know what to do with you.' She had been worried that Gotou Hitori wouldn't be able to adapt, but instead, the girl had adapted a little too well, even declaring the place her own!
The members of the Nap Club were also taken aback by Gotou Hitori's declaration, but seeing her immediately backtrack with a flustered "Yes, yes, yes, it's your home!" they felt a wave of relief—she was still the same old Gotou Hitori, after all.
"There aren't many people here right now…"
Kasumigaoka Utaha, walking at the very rear alongside Kasumigaoka Touji, cast her observant gaze around the venue. The sizable live house currently only housed a few staff members engaged in quiet discussion.
"It's probably still early," Kasumigaoka Touji remarked, doing his best to mimic the demeanor of a first-time visitor as he scanned the room.
Ijichi Nijika, hearing this from ahead, turned back proudly. "Our place can host hundreds of guests for a single show. It gets really crowded right before a performance starts."
As she spoke, she began pointing out and introducing the various staff members from a distance—the lighting technician, the sound engineer…
Her introductions were cut short as a striking girl approached. She had medium-short blue hair, a cool, almost aloof expression, with her bangs covering one eye and a distinctive beauty mark gracing the corner of the other. A metaphorical yellow exclamation mark seemed to hover above her head.
"Nijika, you're finally back."
"Ryo~~~~!"
Ijichi Nijika almost playfully pounced, latching onto one of the blue-haired girl's arms. She then turned back to introduce her to the group. "Everyone, this is our band's bassist—Yamada Ryo!"
"Hello."
Yamada Ryo offered a flat greeting, her gaze immediately and intently settling on Gotou Hitori. This intense focus made the super-socially-anxious Gotou Hitori feel as if she had somehow already managed to offend this stranger and was now being subjected to a silent, accusatory glare.
"Ryo rarely shows much emotion on her face. But if you call her a weirdo, she'll actually be pretty happy," Ijichi Nijika explained, attempting to clarify Yamada Ryo's impassive demeanor.
"I would not be happy!" Yamada Ryo denied, waving a hand dismissively. However, the faint, almost imperceptible smile that tugged at her lips wasn't very convincing!
"That's… quite a hobby. Truly detached from worldly concerns," Kasumigaoka Touji muttered under his breath.
This assessment received silent but unanimous agreement from everyone present, including Ijichi Nijika herself!
"Ahem, and over here…" Ijichi Nijika gave a light cough, steering the conversation back. She gestured toward their guest. "Ryo, this is the guitarist who miraculously appeared in the park—Gotou Hitori! And these are her friends."
"H-hello! I'm Gotou Hitori!" In a sudden burst of nervous energy, Gotou Hitori executed a perfect ninety-degree bow directed at Yamada Ryo.
"Eh… th-there's really no need to be so formal!"
Even Ijichi Nijika was momentarily startled by the intensity of the bow. She quickly clapped her hands together, shifting gears. "Well then… let's head to the practice room first. We don't have much time."
She then addressed the Nap Club members. "You guys can find somewhere to sit for now. If you're thirsty, there are drinks for sale over at that little stall."
She pointed toward a modest concession stand nearby.
"Okay, you two go ahead and practice," Kasumigaoka Touji replied with an easy smile.
Yamada Ryo had already begun turning to walk toward the practice room when she seemed to recall something. She stopped and looked back at Ijichi Nijika. "Oh, right, Nijika. The manager was pretty angry when she found out you left the shop without permission. She's gone out to buy something now."
"Huh…? What? You should have told me earlier! Idiot, idiot, idiot!" Ijichi Nijika's eyes went wide. She clenched her pink fists and gave Ryo's arm a few light, frantic taps. "Let's hurry to the practice room before she gets back! Hitori-chan, come on!"
"Hai!" Gotou Hitori responded like a primary school student whose name had been called by the teacher. She gripped the strap of her guitar case tightly and hurried after them.
After the three had disappeared from sight—
Kumin Tsuyuri crossed one arm over her chest and propped her other hand on her cheek, her expression one of clear concern. "Is Gotou-san really going to be okay?"
After all, this was Gotou Hitori they were talking about. The worry felt entirely justified.
"It probably won't be a catastrophic problem, though the final result might be… a bit messy," Kasumigaoka Touji offered.
"Then isn't that still a huge problem!?" Hearing his somewhat blasé assessment, Kumin Tsuyuri was first startled, then couldn't help but voice her rebuttal.
"No matter how messy it gets, isn't it still better than not having a band at all and being unable to perform?"
"Besides, that Ijichi Nijika seems like a genuinely good person, and Yamada Ryo… while eccentric, doesn't seem particularly difficult to get along with…"
"Does Onii-chan have some plan in mind?" Kasumigaoka Utaha inquired with a knowing smile.
"No plan," Kasumigaoka Touji decisively shook his head. His gaze drifted toward the direction of the practice room. In truth, a certain restless eagerness was stirring within him at this moment. Ever since his visit here with Kato Megumi two days prior, a faint urge to stand on that stage himself—or at least to experience it—had taken root. It wasn't an overwhelming desire, just a quiet, persistent itch.
Kasumigaoka Touji withdrew his gaze and looked at the others. "They're all just high school students themselves; they're probably going to make mistakes during the performance too…"
"Anyway, let's find a place to sit down first!"
"…"
Kasumigaoka Utaha observed her brother quietly, then thoughtfully glanced toward the practice room before letting her eyes drift to the large, empty stage not far away…
Based on her deep understanding of Kasumigaoka Touji, she had a strong suspicion that her brother might secretly want to be up on that stage himself…
Well,
He does play music, after all…